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Original Batmobile sells for $4.6 million at Barrett-Jackson

January 20, 2013

The George Barris Batmobile sold for $4.6 million at auction. Photo by Barrett-Jackson

The original 1955 Lincoln Futura concept—that George Barris turned into the Batmobile for the TV show—sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottdale, Ariz., on Jan. 19 for a final price of $4.62 million, not including fees. The first of six Batmobiles used for the show was the top-selling car in the Barrett-Jackson Salon Collection.

“The 2013 5000 Series and Salon Collection featured some of the best collector vehicles in the world today, and we were honored to have them cross the Barrett-Jackson stage,” said Craig Jackson, Barrett-Jackson's chairman and CEO. “Watching those unique cars cross the auction block was an incredible experience, and I'm glad I was able to share it with our bidders, consignors and fans.”

When transforming of the Futura into the Batmobile, Barris re-formed fins, changed the grille and gave the headlights a gothic look. The wheel wells needed to be opened up, and that's before they added the rocket boosters, machine guns, Bat Radar and Bat Phone. The total build cost, in 1966, was a scant $15,000. It didn't turn out nearly as intimidating as the current tank-inspired Tumbler from the Christopher Nolan films, but it's a piece of history nonetheless.

The winning bidder was Rick Champagne, a business man and car collector from the Phoenix area who has been attending the Barrett-Jackson auctions for years. Champagne told The Hollywood Reporter that he grew up watching the show and was determined to walk away with the car. When asked where he intended to keep the car, Champagne joked he would knock down a wall in his living room.

The movie car ties the record for film-used cars at auction. In 2010 the Aston Martin DB5 driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger set a record of $4.6 million. Of course, we'll find out more about the real star of the show later in the week, the ex-Graham Kozak 1982 Chrysler LeBaron convertible.

The Barris Batmobile sold for $4.6 million at auction. Photo by Barrett-Jackson